SNES Classic Edition: 10 Games That Must Be Included

In case you missed it, this morning we reported that Nintendo is apparently working on a mini Super Nintendo, a SNES¬†Classic edition if you will, to follow up the brilliant success of the NES Classic Edition. Ever since the latter was announced, we've been begging for the former. A suped up SNES¬†emulator in a proper Super Famicom¬†shell (we'll take the NA version if we have to) will be a dream come true, but what games will Nintendo include?¬†

Everyone has their own opinion about which games are or aren't required, and our choices may be hotly disputed. Be that as it may, these are the games that simply¬†must be included when Nintendo does come out with its mini SNES. Keep scrolling to see them all.

Super Mario World

(Photo: Nintendo)

The all-time classic. If we don't have anything else, we have to have¬†Super Mario World. This is the game that originally hooked most of us and turned us into lifelong gamers. Who can forget their first time using the cape to find a secret key? Who can forget their first time stomping on that enormous green switch to distribute green switches to stages all over the world? Who can forget riding Yoshi for the first time? This was such a monumental game.

Now if we could just remember how to unlock that secret power-up stage behind the first ghost house...

Donkey Kong Country

(Photo: Nintendo)

Donkey Kong Country had some of the toughest boss fights of its console generation; I have no idea how I beat this as a kid, but I remember it being totally worth it for that final mountain of bananas.¬†DKC also may have boasted the best soundtrack of any non-RPG on the SNES. Apart from the fantastic characters and iconic OST, we all know that those minecart¬†sequences were some of the most tense and inspired gameplay sequences ever.

Earthbound

(Photo: Nintendo)

This classic RPG was saved from the brink of ruin by SatoruIwata himself. We owe him a fine debt of gratitude for that, because it's one of the most charming and nostalgic titles we played on our Super Nintendos (and one of the funniest). A clever mixing of traditional RPG¬†elements with a very atypical cast of heroes and modern setting make this one adventure that still holds up today.¬†

No doubt this would be many gamers' first time playing¬†Earthbound, and I have a feeling that it would become a new favorite for most of them.

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

(Photo: Nintendo)

Yoshi's Island is one of the best sequels in video game history.¬†It has so much going for it still. It has some of the best visuals of any Super Nintendo game ever made. It has a surprisingly touching story starring our favorite dinosaur (and baby Mario), and boasts a bunch of incredible boss fights that are¬†still fun. That final confrontation with Bowser is still incredibly intimidating, and incredibly satisfying.

Mega Man X

(Photo: Capcom)

The Blue Bomber's definitive adventure, and one of our favorite action-platformers.¬†Mega Man X introduced¬†us to a more advanced system of weapon and armor upgrades, and for the first time, they actually had visual effects that were as pleasing to look at as they were useful.

Let's not forget that¬†Mega Man X also introduces us to one of the coolest characters in¬†Mega Man¬†history: Zero.

Super Mario Kart

(Photo: Nintendo)

I can't tell you how many hours I sunk into¬†Super Mario Kart as a kid¬†- and always as KoopaTroopa. Remember falling into a dark abyss trying to feather-spring across that shortcut in the haunted house track? Good times. True, we have newer, fancier whips in¬†Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but sometimes it's nice to break out the originals and get the fam and friends together for some old-school¬†Mario Kart.¬†

This game is always a hit at parties. All I know is that there are two video game bars in my area, and at both of them,¬†Super Mario Kart¬†is always out and people are always playing. Give this to us with a cheap second controller and we're set.

Super Metroid

(Photo: Nintendo)

Super Metroid: the title that gave birth to the modern "Metroidvania" obsession. Perfect gameplay and map design came together in this timeless work of art. It's since been imitated countless times, but never duplicated. If you're dying to get your exploration and shoot'em up fix, this is still the go-to.¬†

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

(Photo: Nintendo)

You didn't think I'd miss this classic, did you? And you better believe that after all of this Breath of the Wild hype that Nintendo won't miss it either.¬†A Link to the Past set an impossibly high standard for all of the¬†Legend of Zelda games that came after it, a standard that was not met again, for many, until¬†A Link Between Worlds on the 3DS or¬†Breath of the Wild on the Switch. We can't wait to boot up the main menu and file select screen again and hear that sweet, sweet music.

Street Fighter II Turbo

(Photo: Capcom)

This was the original esport right here. Chances are that if you ever got blisters on your thumbs from an SNES controller,¬†Street Fighter II Turbo was to blame. We were a little on the fence with this one since Nintendo and Capcom will be fresh off the release of¬†Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers for the Nintendo Switch, but we don't think there's any threat of cannibalizing sales here, and this is still a Super Nintendo staple.

Chrono Trigger

(Photo: Square Enix)

It's a happy coencidence that a game about travel has withstood the test of time so very well.¬†Chrono Trigger was for many of us our very first epic RPG, and it was an epic project - bringing teams from Squaresoft and Enix together before they were officially united.

Matthew loves artistic games, RPG loot, all things Nintendo, and esoteric philosophy - if you want to buy him something for his birthday, that's all you need to know. In person, a meek dog-lover. Online, an overly competitive villain. Favorite games include Persona 4 Golden, Rainbow Six Siege, Dark Souls, Rhythm Heaven Megamix, and Jet Set Radio.